Donald Ray Opsahl died peacefully in his sleep on May 14, 2025 at age 100 years and 9 months. Don to his family and friends was born on July 21, 1924 on his family's farm near Cloverdale, Minnesota, the third of six children. While growing up he earned his lifetime of outdoor skills, hunting to help feed his family and trapping to earn a few extra dollars. He remained an outdoorsman throughout his life, spending the past 42 years in the woods on his property.

Don was preceded in death by his wife Lucille ("Lucy"), his parents Oscar and Amy Opsahl, sisters Edna O'Flanagan and Stella O'Flanagan, and brothers Glenn and Stanley. He is survived by his sister Mavis Wilson, sons David and Douglas, daughter-in-law Mary Opsahl, grandchildren Kristina, Jessica, Cora and Daniel and many great- grandchildren.

Don was a veteran of WWII and served in the army in Italy from 1945-47. After his honorable discharge, Don was hired by Pacific Gas and Electric in California and worked stringing and splicing cables on a massive high voltage transmission line, working 70 to 100 feet above the ground.

Lucy graduated from Hinckley high school class of 1948 and two months later Don sent her bus tickets to join him in California. They were married on August 24, 1948 by a justice of the peace in Pacific Grove. Son David was born the following year. While on a return visit to Minnesota they purchased 240 acres of wooded land near Cloverdale and shortly after moved back to St. Paul. Son Douglas was born and completed their
family. Don was hired as a journeyman electrician and lineman and began his 32 year career at Northern States Power.

Don and Lucy settled in Maplewood and built the first of several homes using lumber logged from their Cloverdale property and doing much of the construction work themselves. After Don's retirement in 1982 he and Lucy retired to their property, tending a large garden, cutting firewood, and harvesting maple syrup over a wood fired stove. They were inseparable for 72 years and traveled extensively. One of their favorite destinations was Alaska where Lucy was known for her ability to catch salmon and Don had to clean the fish.

Don's friends, neighbors and family knew he could be depended upon to help them in any way he could, whether hanging and powering a new yard light, restoring and remodeling the American Legion hall in Hinckley, or bringing much needed firewood to a neighbor with a broken leg who was unable to put up their winter supply. Don was a working man throughout his life and a good friend and neighbor, as well as his family's patriarch.

The family would like to thank everyone who visited and cared for Don during his final months, especially Diane and Bill Scheremet, Bernice Bergseth, the staff, volunteers and residents at Serenity Court Assisted Living in Sandstone, and St. Croix Hospice.

A visitation and memorial will be held on Saturday, May 24, 2025 from 1-4 PM at the Tatting-Methven Funeral Home, 403 Lawler Avenue, Hinckley, MN. A private family burial is planned.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Don's honor may be sent to the Hinckley American Legion Post 388, 306 Lawler Avenue N, Hinckley, MN 55037.

Arrangements by Tatting-Methven Funeral and Cremation Services of Hinckley, MN.